Thursday, 25 May 2017

'Makelele role is now the Kante role' - Chelsea icon Claude passes baton to N'Golo

The former Blues midfielder is in awe of the PFA
Player of the Year following his compatriot's sublime performances in a
Premier League title triumph

Former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele regards N'Golo Kante as his natural successor at Stamford Bridge.
Kante joined Chelsea from Leicester City at the start of the season
and has quickly become an integral figure at the Premier League
champions.Willian rules out Chelsea exit
The 28-year-old's consistently impressive performances in the holding
midfield role have drawn comparisons to the iconic Makelele, a two-time
Premier League champion with the Blues.
Kante was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year as a result and the
former Real Madrid man only expects his fellow Frenchman to get better
next season.
"People talk about the Makelele position, but I am old and it is time
everybody called it the Kante position. N'Golo deserves that," Makelele
was quoted as saying on the official Chelsea website.
"Every time I watch N'Golo, I see so much desire in him, so much
focus and so much determination to make himself a better player with
every game.
"He was the heartbeat of the Leicester team, but it was also like
taking a bulldog for a walk, you had to keep pulling him back because he
had so much energy.
"Now N'Golo has added intelligence. He appreciates the position of
his team-mates more and how to play in a more sophisticated system where
it is not all about running and tackling, but the decisions he makes.Terry responds to farewell criticism
"Some players are meant to be superstars, but some - like N'Golo and myself - must be happy making other people look good.

"Next season we will see him become even better because he will have
the challenge of the Champions League. He is also part of a fantastic
generation of young players coming through for France, which will also
see him develop."